Wilderness Youth Project (WYP), Santa Barbara County’s leading nature connection organization, is expanding its program staff and has added three trustees to its Board of Directors.
The new board members are Franky Viveros, Lisa Bass, and Raquel López. New program staff members arecAvital Schwarz, Vivian Avila, and Sara Chavez.
“Our organization continues to thrive because of the passionate, experienced, and community-driven people who lead and serve alongside us,” said Dan Fontaine, WYP executive director.
“We are delighted to welcome Franky, Lisa and Raquel to the board,” he said. “Their professional expertise and personal commitment to equity, education, and community will strengthen WYP’s impact and durability for years to come.”
Viveros has a background with Santa Barbara’s education community, serving in various programming and educational roles.
Bass is a social impact consultant and policy expert with a passion for environmental justice and youth development.
López is a mediator and executive coach, known for advancing organizational change through equity and collaboration.
WYP’s Board of Trustees plays a key role in governance, finance, fundraising, and community engagement. Other board members are Amy Schneider, April Price, MS, Brook Eiler, Carrie Kappel, PhD, Chris Ragland, Devon Azzam, Graciela Cabello, Kristen Sillivan, Laura Russell, CPA, and Marlen Limón.
WYP’s new staff members for the summer are Avital Schwarz, Sara Chavez, and Vivian Avila. The three new positions for UCSB students were funded with a grant from the UCSB Associated Students Coastal Fund.
Schwarz is a UCSB graduate in the field of psychology and brain sciences. She brings a love for outdoor adventure to her work with youth.
Avila, an environmental studies major and Goleta native, is ardent about environmental justice and mentoring local children.
Chavez, who studies political science and social justice, finds meaning in connecting with youth and nature as part of her own curiosity, reflection and growth.
The new staff members will support WYP’s programs, including summer camps; an outdoor early childhood program; after-school nature-based activities; and the Bridge to Nature programs that offer free activities to students in low-income public schools and at community partner sites.
“Nature connection makes kids smarter, healthier and happier,” said Fontaine. “Thanks to the dedication of our board, staff, and supporters, we’re able to bring that connection to more than a thousand children each year.”
To learn more about WYP, to volunteer, or donate, visit www.wyp.org, call 805-964-8096 or email info@wyp.org.